Dundalk boss Filippo Giovagnoli has set his heart on knocking out one of Europe’s heavyweights.
The Irish side take on Arsenal at the Emirates on Thursday night in a huge David v Goliath battle in the Europa League but Dundalk are determined not to take it lightly.
Giovagnoli said: “It’s like a heavyweight boxer against a super lightweight so we will have to make them run around a bit.
“The difference is obvious. But let’s show our passion and make it difficult for them.
“The lightweight against the heavyweight has to work more because if you get too close to them then they will kill you.
“The lightweight has to run more but how can you run more against a team like Arsenal?
“We have to match them for intensity, play with passion, because there’s no comparison between us and them. You cannot compare the teams.”
Giovagnoli and his assistant Giuseppe Rossi were plucked from a junior soccer academy in New York to take over this season but do not have the UEFA qualifications so cannot be on the touchline.
That means opposition analysis scout Shane Keegan will be in the dugout for one of the biggest games in their history.
Dundalk’s former Watford midfielder Sean Murray added: “I think the best thing we can do this year is give a good account of ourselves in Europe.
"We have got a massive game again on Sunday [against St Patrick’s], where we have to get third place to get European football as well.
“So, as much as this is a massive game, there’s a massive game on Sunday as well – and then again next Thursday as well. There’s a lot of big games coming up.
I think there is one memorable game from my time at Watford where we were 2-0 up against Man City at the Etihad. We came in at half-time 2-0 up and I think we just went into that game with no fear.
“We knew we had nothing to lose at the time and I think we have to do the same tomorrow. It will give us the best opportunity.”
